Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-07-08
Practical Simplicity.


Polly, with suspicion of a tear in her
eye.
why, yes; respectfully, replied Mr..
Harrison, still grumpily, "my mother
dressed respectfully without these ever
lasting fummeries you girls are always
teasii 6 me for; good, plain, sensible
clothes and common sense Shoes no opera
toes and French heels on her feet, " and
he CLAN ed suggestively at the dainty
Slppe, which inopportunely showed it.
self beneath the rudle of Polly's pretty
morning wrapper.
'Grandmamma wore long green
veil, and a nice big bonnet, too, didn't
She" said mis- hievo S Nellie, "aud her
hair in little knob at the nape of her
de k"
You ne dn't make fun, miss, re-
piled her father, sternly, "your grand
mother was always sensibly and neatly
dressed, and it would be refreshing to
sec some of her good taste in my fam
ily."
but, really, Mr.. Harrison, the girls
have nothing suitable to wear to Mrs.
Lincolu's grand party" said Mrs. Har-
rison, a meek, gentle-voced little
woman.
mo and they haven't had anything
for the ast five years." replied Mr.. Har.
Tison, with whitening sarcasm "buy!
buy and yet they are in the same dis
tressing situation of the female before
mentioned" and he leaned back in his
chair with an air of having clinched the
conversation with an unansworable ar
gument.
II wish l was q man." said pretty
Nell, W tn pout, "then l could wear
one suit everywhere by varying my ne X
ties
papa, dear, you are going with us to
the picnic, amt you}" said Kitty anx-
io0sly she was dainty little fairy and
her fathers favorite, and as she spoke,
she 81 n ed at her sisters with eyes so
fall OF fun and mischief, that they knew
she had some plan in her fertile little
brain.
''Picnic!" said Mr.. Harrison, in a soft
ened tone; he could not be cross with
Kitty and she we'll knew it. "Bugs and
earNigs! When l want my dinner sea-
soned with spiders and grand -daddies,
can eat it in the garden"
"oh, but, papa, we want to go aw-
tullyp' SAID Kit y, coming and perlhing
herself on his knee; she took daring ad-
vantage of her privileges as the young
est, land it is so awkward to go to such
place without gentleman
'Oh, well | can cha ter Tom for the
OCCASION replied Mr.. Harrison, quite
good humoledly che is used to handling
packages, and you'll find he will manage
your five baskets and fifteen bundles in
good style" Tom was porter in Mr..
Harrison's large store, and doubtless
merited the recommendation.
but that isn't you, papa, replied per-
sistent Kitty, winding her arms around
her stif-necked parent, and kissing the
lips which could say such unkind things.
ooh, you wheedler" responded Mr..
Harrison, with feeble attempt at dig
nity, "but there; have just been in
formed that you have nothing to wear"
"Oh! just for picnic, papa, one can
wear anything, you know" aud her eyes
danced perfect jig of delighted mis-
chief, ''plain white is perfectly suitable
tor bug and beetle affair of that kind"
I'm my day, plain white was consid-
cred Just the thing for party occasions
Also" said Mr.. Harrison, quite modified
by his pets attentions.
"No hoops, or bustles, l suppose, said
Kitty, thoughtfully.
"Not a hoop" replied Mr. Harrison,
"and as for bustles, pah!"
"Now, papa I'll maze bargain with
5 you, said Kitty. eff you will 20 to the
picnic with us, we'll agree to wear our
picnic dresses to the party. Isn't that
fair2"
"Well, fair enough if there's no hidden
reservations" replied Mr.. Harrison, Gnu
tiousIy. GLOW many yards of muslin and
bolts of ribbon is it going to take to be.
frill you for the picnic?"
eff you'll give me ten dollars l think I
can manage the whole matter" replied
Kitty, demurely.
"Well well that's getting off quite
cheaply," said Mr.. Harrison, laughing g, as
he counted out the money, while Mrs.
Harrison and the sisters looked on in per-
feet amazement, we'll knowing that Kitty
had some plan in her wise little head,
without in the least pretending what
It could be.
The picnic morning was a rarity in the
weather line; a perfectly clear SKY, and
just breeze enough to m Ike it delightful,
and Mr.. Harrison was in a rare good hui
NOR also, which was unusual enough to
add materially to the pleasures of the
day, for, unfortunately, he could be de-
cldedIy grumpy" on occasions, but hap
PLY for all concerned, the pr ceding day
had been particularly profitable one.
ut appears to me, mother, it takes
those girls an unusual time to prink this
morning, " said Mr.. Harrison, looking at
his watch little nervously, "the train
leaves at eight"
They'll be down presently" said the
mother, with a surreptitious smile, as she
packed the sandwiches into one of the
baskets.
At length there was subdued rustling
on the stairs, and the three girls filed
In dcmurely, and announced themselves
ready.
"What in" said Mr.. Harrison, as
his eyes fell upon them, and seeing the
joke and his own defeat at one glance, he
bit his lip, and left the sentence unuttered.
Plain white dresses without a ruffie,
tuck, or overskirt, thick, high boots,
broad toes and no heels, not hoop or
hustle, they were the plainest, pri nmest
trio of maidens, that ever appeared before
fault-fnGi g papa. Neli's bright hair
was' aimed back from her high forehead,
giving her a wild, hawksh look, under
her immense poke hat, which was adorned
with long green veil hanging in folds
over one shoulder.
Polly was as near hideous as possible,
under a great limp, sailor hit, which
HAnNnl lisnnntentndlu of nunru r,nt;a.,